The Current State of International Academic Partnerships in Orthopaedic Surgery Between High-Income and Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Background: Orthopaedic academic partnerships between high-income countries (HICs) and low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are an effective method to increase research and scholarly support. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic literature review of the current state of partnerships worldwide and assess the quality, quantity, and content of their research output.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using 4 academic databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL.

Critical elements of international academic partnerships in orthopaedic surgery: a modified Delphi approach.

Background: Despite the recent emphasis on promoting international collaborations within orthopaedic surgery, criteria for determining the strengths of such partnerships has not been established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate orthopaedic experts' perceptions of the most valuable characteristics of international academic partnerships.

Methods: This study was conducted using a modified Delphi methodology.

The Perspective of Brazilian Women Orthopaedic Surgeons on Gender Discrimination: Initial Insights to Understand Gender Bias in the Brazilian Healthcare System.

Despite the societal progress made in recent years, gender discrimination is still common in healthcare, especially in some surgical specialties such as orthopaedics. In Brazil, where the participation of women in the medical profession has been increasing, little is known about women's perceptions on the issue of gender discrimination. This study aims to examine women orthopaedic surgeons' experiences in dealing with conflict in the workplace and contextualize the impact that gender discrimination has had or currently has on their careers and well-being.

An Analysis of Participant Preferences Regarding Virtual Versus In-person Format of Orthopaedic Surgery Educational Materials in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Introduction: The University of California, San Francisco Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Traumatology Surgical Management and Reconstructive Training (SMART) course has instructed orthopaedic surgeons from low-resource countries on soft-tissue reconstruction. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the course was conducted in-person; however, it was transitioned to a virtual format during the pandemic. The aim of this study was to determine participant preferences regarding a virtual or in-person SMART course format.

Leadership development training for orthopaedic trauma surgeons: an international survey.

Purpose: This study examined the leadership development themes that global orthopaedic surgeons in differently resourced countries perceive as essential components and evaluated barriers to attending leadership development programs.

Methods: This multinational, 45-question survey engaged orthopaedic surgeons (one expert per country). The questionnaire collected participants' demographics, perception of effective leadership traits, and valuation of various leadership themes based on importance and interest.

Establishing Consensus on Essential Resources for Musculoskeletal Trauma Care Worldwide: A Modified Delphi Study.

Background: Despite evidence that formalized trauma systems enhance patient functional outcomes and decrease mortality rates, there remains a lack of such systems globally. Critical to trauma systems are the equipment, materials, and supplies needed to support care, which vary in availability regionally. The purpose of the present study was to identify essential resources for musculoskeletal trauma care across diverse resource settings worldwide.

Novel e-learning platform for orthopaedic training in LMICs: A descriptive review of the IGOT portal.

Background: While e-learning has been written about extensively within the context of orthopaedics in the United States, there are few articles describing e-learning initiatives geared towards low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Traumatology (IGOT) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) developed the IGOT Learning Portal to meet this need.

Methods: The IGOT Learning Portal was designed to address knowledge gaps in patient care by increasing access to high-quality orthopaedic education for surgeons and trainees worldwide.

Orthopaedic trauma observerships in North America for international surgeons: the visitors' perspective.

Unlabelled: International observerships are one of many efforts aimed at addressing disparities in orthopaedic trauma care globally. However, their impact on visiting surgeons and their home countries, as well as the challenges faced by participating surgeons, are not well-documented.

Methods: A survey was distributed to overseas surgeons who participated in an orthopaedic trauma observership from 2009 to 2020.

Opportunities for International Orthopaedic Volunteerism: An Exploration of United States and Canada-Based Nonprofit Organizations.

Background: In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), there are often not enough orthopaedic surgeons to treat musculoskeletal conditions. International volunteerism is 1 way that the orthopaedic community seeks to meet this need. This study explored the opportunities available for orthopaedic surgeons to volunteer overseas as offered by nonprofit organizations in the United States and Canada.

Barriers to and Outcomes of Initiating Clinical Research at Two Trauma Centers in Mexico.

Introduction: Despite efforts to advance clinical research through collaboration between Latin and North American partners, there remains persistent barriers to performing investigative work. To overcome these obstacles, a team of over 100 surgeon-leaders from 18 Latin American countries founded the Asociación de Cirujanos Traumatólogos de las Américas (ACTUAR). One of ACTUAR's first major collaborative projects, initiated in 2018, was a prospective, observational, multicenter study evaluating quality of life after open tibia fracture management.

Open tibial shaft fracture management in Argentina: an evaluation of treatment standards in diverse resource settings.

Background: Argentina is a country with varying access to orthopedic surgical care. The Argentine Association of Trauma and Orthopedics (AATO) "Interior Committee" was developed to address potential regional differences and promote standardization of orthopedic trauma care. The paper assesses the level of national standardization of the management of open tibia fractures across 9 provinces in Argentina.

Open Tibial Fracture Treatment in Argentina: Reoperation Rates Following Surgical Management.

Unlabelled: The purposes of the present study were (1) to characterize open tibial fractures and their treatment in trauma centers located across different regions of Argentina and (2) to evaluate the rates of and indications for reoperation after the surgical treatment of such fractures.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study evaluated open tibial fractures in Argentina that were operatively treated by experienced orthopaedic trauma surgeon-members of the Argentine Association of Orthopedic Trauma (AATO) between January 2015 and June 2020. Data were collected from 13 hospital databases; 8 hospitals were designated as "interior," and 5 hospitals were designated as "exterior.

Leadership development programs for healthcare professionals in low-and middle-income countries: A systematic review.

Background: Leadership development programs are integral to the future success of public health and healthcare organisations. Despite low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) bearing a greater burden of unmet medical needs, fewer professional development opportunities exist in these settings. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of available leadership development programs for healthcare professionals in LMICs.

Management of soft-tissue coverage of open tibia fractures in Latin America: Techniques, timing, and resources.

Purpose: This study examined soft-tissue coverage techniques of open tibia fractures, described soft-tissue treatment patterns across income groups, and determined resource accessibility and availability in Latin America.

Methods: A 36-question survey was distributed to orthopaedic surgeons in Latin America through two networks: national orthopaedic societies and the Asociación de Cirujanos Traumatólogos de las Américas (ACTUAR). Demographic information was collected, and responses were stratified by income groups: high-income countries (HICs) and middle-income countries (MICs).

International Orthopaedic Volunteer Opportunities in Low and Middle-Income Countries.

Globally, the burden of musculoskeletal conditions continues to rise, disproportionately affecting low and middle-income countries (LMICs). The ability to meet these orthopaedic surgical care demands remains a challenge. To help address these issues, many orthopaedic surgeons seek opportunities to provide humanitarian assistance to the populations in need.

Leadership development for orthopaedic trauma surgeons in Latin America: opportunities for and barriers to skill acquisition.

Introduction: There is growing interest in leadership courses for physicians. Few opportunities are available in global regions with limited resources. This study describes orthopaedic trauma surgeons' desired leadership skill acquisition, opportunities, and barriers to course participation in Latin America.

Orthopaedic Trauma Research Priorities in Latin America: Developing Consensus Through a Modified Delphi Approach.

Background: Despite a substantial burden of musculoskeletal injury, orthopaedic trauma studies in Latin America are lacking. The purpose of the present study was to identify research priorities among orthopaedic trauma surgeons in Latin America.

Methods: Research questions were solicited from members of the Asociación de Cirujanos Traumatólogos de las Américas.

The Impact of Inadequate Soft-tissue Coverage following Severe Open Tibia Fractures in Tanzania.

Unlabelled: Managing lower extremity fractures complicated by large soft-tissue defects is challenging for surgeons in low- and middle-income countries, and long-term quality of life (QOL) for these patients is unclear.

Methods: We examined QOL, surgical complications, and longitudinal outcomes in 10 patients with Gustilo-Anderson Classification Type IIIB open tibia fractures seen at an orthopedic institute in Tanzania, from December 2015 to March 2017. Patients completed follow-up at 2-, 6-, 12-, 26-, and 52-week time points, and returned for qualitative interviews at 2.

Open Tibial Shaft Fractures: Treatment Patterns in Latin America.

Background: Open tibial shaft fractures are an important source of disability in Latin America. High-income countries (HICs) worldwide have established standardized treatment protocols for open tibial fractures, but less is known about their treatment in middle-income countries (MICs) in Latin America. This survey of Latin American orthopaedic surgeons characterizes open tibial fracture treatment patterns.

Comparison of Case-Based Learning and Traditional Lectures in an Orthopedic Residency Anatomy Course.

Objective: The impact of new pedagogical methods such as case-based learning (CBL) rather than traditional lectures in graduate medical education is poorly defined. We hypothesized that using CBL in lieu of lectures in an orthopedic surgery residency anatomy course would lead to increased resident engagement, improved resident satisfaction, and similar knowledge acquisition.

Design: A prospective, observational study design was used.

Orthopaedic Walk-In Clinics: A model to lessen the burden on Emergency Departments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: Operating duties for orthopaedic surgeons decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, while Emergency Department (ED) cases surged. Orthopaedic Walk-In Clinics (OWICs) were implemented to manage urgent musculoskeletal cases.

Methods: OWICs, organized in three days, were staffed by one orthopaedic surgeon, one triage person, three medical assistants, and a physician assistant/nurse practitioner.

Hip fracture care-Latin America.

Incidence rates of hip fractures in Latin America continue to rise. These fractures are associated with factors such as health, education, and socioeconomic status. Although there are many well-developed public and private healthcare systems available, the quality and consistency in the management of patients with hip fractures varies substantially.

Knowledge deficits and barriers to performing soft-tissue coverage procedures: An analysis of participants in an orthopaedic surgical skills training course in Mexico.

Background: An increasing number of traumatic injuries in low- and low-middle-income countries (LICs/LMICs) have coexisting injuries requiring soft-tissue coverage (flaps). Yet, there is a lack of subspecialty care and flap training in Latin America. This study assesses the effectiveness of a surgical skills training course in improving rotational and free flap knowledge and identifies barriers to performing these types of flaps.

Asociación de Cirujanos Traumatólogos de las Américas: Development of a Latin American Research Consortium.

Trauma continues to be a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in lower to middle-income countries. To meet the ever-growing need of musculoskeletal care in trauma patients, orthopaedic surgeons play an instrumental role in providing care, guided by relevant clinical research studies. Promoting research and publishing results are both crucial to influencing trauma-related skeletal injury treatment in lower to middle-income countries.